_Use._ This may serve to admonish us, according to the counsell of the Apostle, _1 Timothy 4.7._ to exercise our selves unto godlinesse, not unto wickednesse. For as the Apostle there saith, verse 8. that _bodily exercise profiteth little_; so in this comparison may it be said, that the exercise of sin is not only unprofitable, but very hurtfull. Doctrine 10. _They that are after this manner accustomed unto their sins, are hardned in them._ This is gathered from these words; _They cannot cease from sinne._ _Reason._ Because by this means sin gets great strength and dominion. 2. Because every way unto repentance is stopped up. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us, to leave off our wicked purposes in time. Doctrine 11. _Such men are most to be detested._ This is gathered from these words: _cursed children_. _Reason._ Because they are most opposite and contrary unto that which is most to be loved. _Vse._ This may serve to exhort us, to shew our zeale in flying from sin and sinners. * * * * * Verse 15. _Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse,_ Verse 16. _But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumbe Asse speaking with mans voice, forbad the madnesse of the Prophet._ The Analysis. The Apostle here still continues in explaining and illustrating the covetousnesse of these men by way of a similitude, which he makes betweene them and _Balaam_ the son of _Bosor_. Now the quality wherein they are compared is first propounded in generall, that they followed his way, that is, they imitated him in the like manner of doing, and then set forth in particular, 1. By the effect, that they forsook the right way, and went astray into by wayes, that is, into naughty and wicked wayes. 2. By the proper cause of this effect, that they loved the wages of unrighteousnesse, like as he loved it, that is, for the desire of filthy lucre they gave themselves over unto impiety and unrighteousnesse. 3. By the adjunct that followes upon this effect, namely, Gods rebuking of him, verse 16. which is set forth by the instrument, that he made use of to do it, namely, a dumbe Asse. The fitnesse also of this instrument as he was made use of at that time, is declared by their inequality, because he shewes that this Asse was in some sort wiser then his Master. For when the Master, though he was a Prophet, was mad, this Asse by his wisdome as it were, rebuked and corrected that madnesse. _Question._ But here a question may be made concerning this _Balaam_ the son of _Bosor_, who is here called a Prophet, and yet is said to have sinned most wickedly, Whether he were a true Prophet of God, or no?